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Snake Vaccine for dogs

While nothing can offer 100-percent protection from a rattlesnake bite, a new vaccine
holds promise.

By E. Dan Klepper

Dog owners who routinely bring their canines along to hike, hunt or camp may already be
familiar with the following scene: Cooter hits the brush wagging his tail and returns
shortly thereafter yelping about a swelling nose or paw or something worse. Two small
but nasty puncture holes mark his injury, a coiled rattler retreats nearby, and then a mad
dash to the nearest vet for treatment completes the scenario. Some dogs survive the
ordeal and some, unfortunately, don't. However, a vaccine now available through local
vets may provide dogs with a certain amount of protection against rattlesnake venom.
While nothing beats teaching a dog to avoid venomous snakes altogether, the new
rattlesnake vaccine developed by Red Rock Biologics of Woodland, California, may give
dogs a hedge against the damage caused by a venom-injecting rattlesnake bite.

Here is how the vaccine works:

The vaccine contains a specific component found in rattlesnake venom. The
component, however, has been inactivated.

Once the vaccine is injected into the dog, this "inactive component" stimulates the
dog's immune system to produce special antibodies. Antibodies come in all forms and are
produced naturally by the body to fight against infections and diseases.

These special antibodies remain in the dog's system for a period of time depending on
the unique physiological characteristics of each dog. The average period is around six
months. In addition, the vaccine stimulates "memory cells," which also make antibodies
over a longer period of time.

When a vaccinated dog is bitten by a rattlesnake and envenomated (injected with
venom), the vaccine-induced antibodies present in the dog's system chemically bind to
the venom and attempt to render it inactive. At the same time, the "memory cells" are
stimulated to make more antibodies at a much faster rate than they did before. These
antibodies also bind with the venom in an effort to neutralize the venom's harmful
effects.

While the vaccine doesn't eliminate the danger from the venom, it may reduce pain,
minimize tissue damage, and lower the risk of any life-threatening complications that
may result from envenomation.

"Many veterinarians believe the vaccine really does make a difference," says Dr. Dave
Taylor, rural Texas veterinarian and co-owner of Fort Davis Veterinary Services. "Even
if there are, as yet, no challenge studies in dogs, the vaccine company has done extensive
mice-model testing to show a definite benefit. Also, we cannot ignore the growing
number of anecdotal reports of reduced sickness and death in animals that are vaccinated.

This is not to say every dog that is vaccinated will survive a bite or will avoid getting sick
from a bite. In fact, all vaccines protect only a certain percent of a population ... so that is
not unusual. However, vaccinating, in most cases, seems like a very reasonable idea to
help prevent the effects of a snake bite. I offer the vaccine to my clients for their dogs
when I believe it might be useful. Dog owners should consult their own veterinarian if
they want to learn more about it or see if it is recommended for their dog."

Even if a dog is vaccinated, dog owners should consider a snake bite an emergency and
seek immediate medical attention for the dog. The rattlesnake vaccine is designed to
reduce only the effects of envenomated bites from western diamondback rattle-snakes but
may also help with other "hemotoxic" (meaning toxic to blood cells) envenomations from
other rattlesnake species. But it does nothing for a Mojave rattlesnake bite. The Mojave's
venom is a "neurotoxin," meaning it is toxic to nerves, and an envenomated bite
frequently causes death.

Just like the results of the vaccine, most of the evidence to date regarding dog/rattle-snake encounters is anecdotal. No doubt many readers have their own stories. Some dogs
are bitten and have little to no reaction. Other dogs experience the worst possible
reaction. But the damage envenomation can do is severe and permanent. Any chance of
mitigating the results should always be considered. Dog owners, however, need to make
their own decision about vaccinating their dogs. They should make an effort to become
informed, read any available literature on the new vaccine and then discuss their dog's
options with a trusted veterinarian.